Ankara says its citizens held by Haftar forces, demands release

Turkey said on Sunday that six of its citizens were being held by eastern Libyan forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar, and that the militia would become a "legitimate target" if they were not released immediately. "The detention of six of our citizens by illegal militia forces linked to Haftar is an action that amounts to banditry and piracy. We expect the immediate release of our citizens. If not, Haftar's forces will become legitimate targets," Turkey's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Agencies and A News WORLD

Published June 30,2019

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ANKARA SAYS ITS CITIZENS HELD BY HAFTAR FORCES, DEMANDS RELEASE

Turkish Foreign Ministry on Sunday expected immediate release of six Turkish citizens held by East Libya-based commander Khalifa Haftar forces.

"Holding six Turkish citizens in Libya by illegal militia loyal to [Khalifa] Haftar is an act of banditry, piracy," said the Foreign Ministry in a statement.

It added that Turkey expects immediate release of its citizens, and otherwise, Haftar elements would become legitimate target.

Libya has remained beset by turmoil since 2011 when a bloody NATO-backed uprising led to the ouster and death of long-serving President Muammar Gaddafi after more than four decades in power.

Since then, Libya's stark political divisions have yielded two rival seats of power -- one in Tobruk and another in Tripoli -- and a host of heavily armed militia groups.